Eire-extinguishing apparatus



1,438,433. 36 Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

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0. R ERWIN.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1921.

Patented Dec. 113, 1922.

'ururso srarss OFFICE.

ORLANDO R. ERWIN, OF FOREST HILLS, NEW YORK ASSIGNOR TO FOAMITE-CHILDS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. '51, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Application filed April 30, 1921. Serial No. 465,695.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORLANDO R. ERWIN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Forest Hills, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire EX- tinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus and. more particularly to an apparatus of the type adapted for the storing of chemical component solutions and in which the solutions are comixed in time of fire for the production of a fire extinguishing medium such as foam, and has special reference to the provision of a large capacity fire extinguishing apparatus such as a 40 gallon Foamite apparatus in which the component solutions are stored without liability of accidental comixture and in which the inter-mixture of the component solutions in time of fire is automatically regulated for the controlled generation of an eiiicient fire extinguishing foam compound.

Fire extinguishing apparatus of the type referred to is adapted to be mounted and transported on a truck such as a two-wheeled truck, for example, the apparatus being thus transportable to 'a region adjacent a fire, the apparatus being adapted to be set into activity by inversion or tilting. Upon inversion of the apparatus the solutions stored therein are comixed, the solutions and the foam resulting from their inter-mixture discharging through an extended hose section connected to the apparatus, completion of solution comixture taking place in the said hose section, the resultant foam being discharged through a nozzle connected to the hose. "It has been found that in this type of apparatus, if the inter-mixture of the component solutions is controlled in a predetermined manner, the solutions may be gradually fed for coi'i'iixture in their proper volumetric ratio or proportion, such solution discharging into the hose section in the desired proportionate volumes with the result that the comixture. that takes place in the hose section produces a foam substantially free from any unmixed component solution. My present invention threfore comprehends the provision of such a fire extinguishing apparatus in which means are provided for effecting a regulated solution comixture and in which the parts are so structurally related that eiiicient solution comixture and foam generation take place, with the resulting"production of an eflicient foam compound.

A desideratum in a transportable fire extinguishing apparatus of the'above referred to type is the provision of an apparatus in which splashing and accidental inter-mixture of the component solutions is effectively prevented. In conveying such apparatus on a wheeled truck to the scene of a fire, the apparatus is subjected to considerable shaking and vibration, the component solutions stored in independent compartments or tanks in the apparatus being thus subjectedto liability of splashing and resulting solution 'intermixture. Means must therefore be provided for preventing any such accidental comixture which would result in a misproduction or misgeneration of the foam compound. A convenient and officient means comprehends t-he'utilization of manually operable valve means in the form of astopple cooperating with one of the solution compartments ,or tanks, normally closing and sealing the same against the other component solution. In this manner the apparatus may be safely handled and freely moved about without fear of foam misproduction. However, in moving the extinguisher about from place to place during storage use, for example, movement in splashing the solutions in the tanks is bound to take place, films of solutions and especially the acid solution forming over the stopple or valve seat, crystallization of the solution films taking place at such valve seat, resulting in the: incrustatiou of the stopple valve and rendering the valve subject to diiiiculty of operation. in time of fire. My invention therefore comprehends the provision of a fire extinguishing apparatus in which not only isintcrmixture of the solutions prevented, but in which splashing is reduced and in which crystallization at the valve seat is effectively minimized, with the resulting provision of an extinguisher capable of facility of operation even after long storage use.

The principal objects of my present invention therefore include, in addition to the provision of a fire extinguishing apparatus in which solution feeding is controlled for regulated intermixture in the apparatus and in the discharge hose connected thereto and fqu-minp; part thereof, the provisioii of such an. engine which may be safely transpmfted from place to place, lllti'flllllXf-lli't) of solutions being prevented, sg ilashing of solutions being; reduced and crystallisation of the soand such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter particularly described and sought to be defined in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of my improved apparatus,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the inner receptacle removed, and

Figures 3 and 4: are respectively enlarged plan and cross sectional elevational views of the inner receptacle with parts broken away.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus com prises an outer shell generally designated as 10, having a. cylindrical body 11 and a dished bottom 12, preferably formed integral therewith, the bottom 12 being provided with a depressed portion 18 adapted to supportingly receive the inner receptacle, as will appear more in detail hereinafter, the outer shell being provided with a preferably dome shaped top li, which may be brazed to the upper portion of the cylindri cal walls 11, the top 1% being in turn provided with a threaded neck 15, removably receiving); a hand wheel 16, the said hand wheel being preferably provided with opposed horns 17 acting as grip members for rotating the handle 16 to remove or replace the same on the top 14., a gasket 18 being preferably provided for the pur 'iose of securing an efficient cl osurc between the hand wheel and the dome sh aued toplt. For the purpose, of recruiting: the outer shell 10 upon a truck, such a two-wheeled truck for example, an. axle band 19 may be provided, the said axle band being preferably shrunk onto the cylindrical walls 11 of the shell 10, as shown particularly in Figure 1' of the drawings. 1 The outer shell 10 is intended for the reception of a B or basic component solution,

. the A or acid component solution being conponent solutions, the said solutions being intended for comixture in time of fire for.

the production of a fire extinguishing foam. I have found that in an apparatus of this type that if the intermixture of the compo nent solutions is controlled in a predetermined manner for the intermixture of the solutions in a desired volumetric ratio or proportion, that an e'l'licientfoam compound may be produced. I have further found that by regulating the solution flow in a predetermined manner, so as to provide the desired volumetric inter-mixture, that comixture in an extended hose line connected to an apparatus of this type may be effectively controlled for the production of a foam sul stantially free from any unmixed component solution. To this end I provide battle plates or partitions having solution ports of the desired configuration, these ports being so interrelated and associated with foam discharge means in the engine as to effect the desired result. Accordingly, I provide an outer partition 22 which may be welded, for example, to the dome shaped top 14;, as shown at 523, the partition 22 dividing the outer shell 10 into a solution compartment B and a mixing chamber The partition 22 is provided with solution port means, the present form of my invention comprehendin a single port 25 of a predetermined area, the said port forming a communicating duct between the B solution compartment and the mixing; chamber 2 The inner receptacle 20 is also provided with. a. similar partition and in the present form of my invention I prefer to provide a cage structure 26 having vertical walls 27, the said walls being provided with spaced solutionopcnings 28; the said cage structure 26 preferably taking the form} of an integral casting; provided with a horizontal partition 29 er ztendinp; across the rumor open end of the inner rcceptacle 20, the casting being connected'to the walls of the said receptacle 9,0 as by being riveted thereto and shown particularly in Figures .1 and 4 of the drawings. The partition 29 provided with a solution port 30 of predetermined configuration, the said i solution port con'iprising; an intercommunieating duct means between the A solution compartment and the mixing chamber 24:. The cage structure or casting is preferably provided with a threaded portion 3]., which.

is received by a lapped opening 32, prefer ably termed centrally in the partition 22, the inner receptacle being thus inscrtable in the outer receptacle by rotating the said inner receptacle, the tapped opening 32 re ceiving the thread 3l,tthe inner receptacle in this manner being firmly supported its upper end within the outer receptacle. With this construction, upon inverting or tilting of the apparatus, the solutions will flow from the A and B compartments. in a controlled manner for regulated interniixture in the mixing chamber 24.

In this form of aoparatus it is desired that the solution coiniXture in the mixing chamber be only in formative stages, it being required that completion of comizrture take place in an extended hose section connected to the mining chaniiber 24;. The mining chamber 2- 3; is accordingly pro vided with a loam discharge outlet 33, the usual extended hose section (not shown) being connected to this outlet 33. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing it will be seen that the foam outlet 33 is located singularly to one side ofthe solution outlet 25, these outlets being relatively displaced. in the manner shown in Figure 2 for the purpose of preventing any of the B or basic solution discharging from solution outlet 25 having direct egress through the discharge outlet 33, the degree or amount of displacement of the foam outlet 33 being so predetermined as to pr de a construction in which the solutions ilowir if through the solution ports 25 and will intermix in the desired volumetric ratio in that portion of chamber 9A between the solution outlots and the discharge outlet the intermixed and interinixing component solutions then discharging through the outlet 33, premixture in chamber 24 being only in its formative stages, completion of the coinixture taking place in the extended hose line connected to the discharge port 3.

In order to eliminate any accidental coinixture between the component solutions in the A and B compartments incident to transportation of the device on a wheeled truck. I provide means for normally clos- .ing the A compartment and. sealing the same against any of the solution in the B mmipartment. To this end I provide a manually operable stopple valve comprising a stopple 35 and a stem connected thereto, the stem being provided with an operating handle 3'7, the said stem being threaded as at 38, the threaded po tion 38 heir re ceived in a tapped boss 39 forming part of the hand. wheel 16, a stufiing box 40 being provided, as shown in Figure 1, to provide an anti-leak proof device. The partitions 9,2 and 29. besides functioning as a means for controlling solution flow in time of fire, also function to ininimize splashing oil the For tition 29 is provided ith an upstanding an-' nular flanged portion 41, the said upstanding annular flange providing a mw two. 7 #1:: 9K w 13 11v 'ri' .Lol vilb SLOQP u 0c), 1v lied 0L C vil WLU Uh tween stogple and flange l]. being relatively small, this in cooperation with the battle plate partition 29 n'iinin'iizing eryst .1 lization and thus reducing stopple incrustation. ln thismanner and by this means a manually operable stopple valve provided which forms an effective closure for the inner receptacle in time of storage use and which is easily operable and is manipulated with facility in time of lire.

For the purpose of. distributing and equalizing pressure resulting from the generation of foam in the fire extinguishing apparatus, and for the purpose of facilitating a :tree flow of the solutions from the A and B cornpartinents, I provide 'equalizii 4 pressure means for both the inner and outer receptacles, said equalizing pressure means prefer ably taking the form of equalizing pressure tubes 42 and l3 respectively, the said. tubes 42 and 41:3 being fixed to the partitions 29 and 22 respectively, shown particularly in Figure 1 of the drawings. the said equah izing pressure tubes extending into the respective compartments and terminating adjacent the bottoms thereof, brackets ll and 4:5 being provided. and connected to the inier walls oi the inner and outer receptacles 20 and 10 respectively, the said brackets and 45 supporting the bottoms out the respective equalizing tubes 42 and It will be noted that the annular upstanding flange forming the valve seat 2-9 encircles both the solution port and the equalizing pressure tube 4-2 so as to effectively close all the ports opening into the inner receptacle 20 and seal the same against the solution in the outer receptacle 10. For the purpose of facilitating flushing or cleaning the apparatus, 1

may provide an opening 46 in the depressed portion 13 ot the outer receptacle 10, the opening 4:6 being normally closed by a cap 47. I u up; also provide spaced pressure rclicili ports 4:8 in the hand wheel 16, as shown in Figure 1 ot the drawings.

The operation and use of my aoparatus will, in. the main. l e apparent from the above description thereof. In charging the apparatus, the outer receptacle l0 filled to a predetermined height with. the B or basic solution, the inner receptacle 20 being; then filled with the or acid solution, the said inner receptacle being then i-.serted in stopple and the flange valve scat 529.

the outer receptacle, ti o bottom (it the inner receptacle being sug iportinp ly received by the depressed portion ll"; oi? tho outcr receptacle, the top oil? such inner receptacle 20 bcingg si pportingly received in the tapped partition 22 forming part of the outer receptacle. The hand wheel 16 is then. throaiml onto the threaded neck of the top i l, the valve stopple 35 being; then rotated to etloct a closure between the said The apparatus may then be transported from place to place without the liability of solution intermixture and oration oi foam, splashing; of ';he solutions being; reduced by the bail'le plate partition structures and 29, crystallization and incrustation ot the stopplc being; minimized by the cooperation of there in addi tion to the cooperation of the flanged scat ll and the stopple 35. in time oil fire the device valve 35 rotated countercloclrwisc, the solutions in the A and B csiunpartnients being then free to flow from the respective compartn'ients to the mixing chamber 24, the intermixture being regulated by the solution outlets 25 and 30 of predetermined area, comixture being initiated in the min ing chamber 2% for the prod etion oi the lire extinguishing loam, the foam and the unmixed solutions having tl'u'oirp h the discharge port into an extending hose connected thereto, (not shown) completion of solution comirtturc takingplace in such extended hose. By the l. solution intermixture the desired volumetric ratio or proportion of solutions is 00- mixed or brought into comixing relation, such desired proportion. moving ghrough the extended hose section, completion of coli'ron: the above it will be apparent that l have provided a lire er: ingguishing apparatus in which solution tding); con.- trolled. lior regulated intermirzture in the apparatus and in the discharge hose connected thereto for the production ct an eilicient :toam' stream, and in which accidental solution comixture is effectively prevented with the minimizing oft splashing of the solutions with the further minimizaccidental inisgem is "inverted or tilted, the stopple.

i ias ,aso

ing; of any tendency of sto fiple or valve in crustation, this producing a device which is easily manned and operable in time of emergency use.

I claim:

l. A'fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which component chemical sold tions are normally stored and are comixed for the production or a tire extinguishing medium, an outer receptacle for holding one of the component solutions, an inner receptacle for holding another of the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and mixing chamber; the said partition icing provided. with solution outlet means, the inner r ceptacle being also provided with. a )ttlllllllOl'l having solution outlet means and a manually operable valve means cooperating with said inner reccptacle for normally closing its solution outlet means and being openablc to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber.

2. A tire extinguishing apparatus 01 the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a lire extinguishing medium, an outer receptacle for holding one of the component solutions, a removable inner receptacle for holding another of the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chamber, the said partition supporting-1y receiving the removable inner receptacle and being provided with solu tion outlet means, the inner receptacle beinn also provided with a partition having lution outlet meansand a manually 0perable valve means cooperating with said inner receptacle for normally closing; its solution outlet means and being openable to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber.

A lire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a fire extinguishing foam,

an outer receptacle for holding one oi tho component solutions, an inner receptacle for holding another oi? the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separ ting the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chamher, the said partition being provided with solution outlet means and equalizing pressure inlet means, the inner receptacle be inn also provided with a partition having solution outlet means and equalizing pres sure inlet means and a manually operable valve means cooperating with said inner receptacle for normally closing the solution outlet means and the equalizing pressure ill) inlet means and being openable to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber and foam communication from the mixing chant her to the inner receptacle.

l. A fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a fire extinguishing foam, an outer receptacle for holding one of the component solutions, a removable inner receptacle for holding another of the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chamber, the said partition supportingly receiving the removable inner receptacle and being provided with solution outlet means and equalizing pressure inlet means, the inner receptacle being also provided with a partition having solution outlet means and equalizing pressure inlet means and a manually operable valve means cooperating with said inner receptacle for normally closing the solution outlet means and the equalizing pressure inlet means and being openable to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber and foam communication from the mixing chamber to the inner receptacle.

5. A the extinguishing apparatus oi the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a fire extinguishing medium, an outer receptacle for holding one of the component solutions, an inner receptacle for holding another of the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chamber; the said partition being provided with solution outlet means, the inner receptacle being also provided with a partition having solution outlet means and a manually operable valve means cooperating with said inner.- receptacle for normally closing its solution outlet means and being openable to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber, the partition of the inner receptacle being provided with an annular upstanding flange encircling the solution outlet means and forming a seat for the said valve.

6. A fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comiXed for the production of a fire extingushing foam, an outer receptacle for holding one of the com- 'ponent solutions, an inner receptacle for holding another of the components solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chain her, the said partition being provided. with solution outlet means and equalizing pressure inlet means, the inner receptacle beii j also provided with a partition having solution outlet means and equalizing pressure inlet means and a manually oper ilc valve means cooperatii with. id inner recepte for normally on ing the solution. outlet and the equalizing pressure inlet means and being openable to permit solution communication ii om said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber and foam communication from the in' k l inner receptacle, the oartition inner receptacle being provided annular upstanding n. "e encir ling solution outlet means and the pro. izing inlet means and iormi. the said manually operable v e.

7. An inner rec aaiacle for a lire extinguishing apparatus oi? the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a fire extinguishing roam, the said inner receptacle comprisin a tubular section defining the inner compartment, the said tubular section being provided at its top with a partition having solution outlet and cqualizing pressure inlet means, the said partition being provided with an upstanding annular flange encircling the outlet and inlet means, the flange providing a seat for a valve.

8. An inner receptacle for a fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which component chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed for the production of a fire extinguishing foam, the said inner receptacle comprising a tubular section defining the inner compartment, and an integral cage member fitted to the top of the tube, the'said cage member comprising vertical walls havin spaced solution openings and a horizontal partition provided with solution outlet and equalizing pressure inlet means and an upstand annular flange encirc ing the out t and inlet mezms, the flange deil ning a valve seal.

9. A. lire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which coniponmit chemical solutions are normally stored and are comixed. lie; the production of a i'ire e inguis ing medium, an outer receptacle for holding one of the componentsolutions. an inn-er receptacle "for holding another or the component solutions, the outer receptacle being provided with a partition separating the said receptacle into a solution compartment and a mixing chamber; the said partition being provided with solution outlet means, the inner receptacle being also prcvided with a partition having solution outlet means, a discharge port c re ofthe solutions to take place in the mixing chaml l (l J ll:

her with partial foam production; the solutions intermixing in the desired proportions then having egress through the discharge port.

10. A lire extinguishing apparatus 01"? the type in which component chemical solutions are norn'ially stored and are comixed tor the prodijiction ot a fire extinguishing medium an outer receptacle for holding one 0%? the component solutions, an inner receptacle for holding another of the component solutions, the outer receptacle being; provided with a partition separating the said rece itacle into a solution compartn'icnt and. a mixing chamber; the said partition heii'ip; provided with solution outlet means, the inner receptacle being also provided with a partition having solution outlet means and a manually operable valve means cooperating with said inner receptacle for normally closing its solution outlet means and being openable to permit solution communication from said inner receptacle to the said mixing chamber, a dis charge port opening into the said mixing chamber, the said solution outlets and the discharge port being relatively displaced to permit a predetermined volumetric intermiXture of the solutions to take place in the mixing chamber with partial foam production; the solutions intermixing in the desired proportimis then having egress through the discharge port.

Signed at New Z L'ork in the county of New York and State of New ii'orlr, this 29th day of April l). 1921.

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